A monitoring device for, and a method for examining a functional capability of, at least one subunit of a hydraulic braking system includes: ascertaining at least one pressure variable of a pressure prevailing in the hydraulic braking system, and comparing the ascertained pressure variable to a predefined comparative value range, at least if the ascertained pressure variable deviates from the predefined comparative value range, a pressure change variable with respect to a time change of the pressure variable being ascertained and the ascertained pressure change variable being compared to a predefined minimum change variable, and the functional capability being established in consideration of the comparison of the pressure variable to the predefined comparative value range, and, at least if the ascertained pressure variable deviates from the predefined comparative value range, in consideration of the comparison of the pressure change variable to the predefined minimum change variable.